Set of panels with a mechanical locking device

ABSTRACT

A set including a first panel, a second panel and a mechanical locking device for locking the first panel to the second panel, the first panel includes a first edge surface and a first panel surface, the second panel includes a second panel surface, the first edge surface facing the second panel surface in a locked position of the first and the second panel, the mechanical locking device includes a panel groove at a surface of the second panel, a flexible tongue positioned in the panel groove, a rod-shaped element at the first edge surface and an insertion groove at the second panel surface extending from the second panel surface to the panel groove, the rod-shaped element having a first part at a first end, a second part at a second end and a recess in the second part, and a third part located between the first and second part.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of Swedish Application No.1850446-4, filed on 18 Apr. 2018. The entire contents of each of SwedishApplication No. 1850445-6, Swedish Application No. 1850446-4, and,Swedish Application No. 1850447-2 are hereby incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present invention relate to panels that may bearranged perpendicular to each other and locked together with amechanical locking device. The panels may be assembled and lockedtogether to obtain a furniture product, such as a bookshelf, a cupboard,a wardrobe, a box, a drawer or a furniture component. The mechanicallocking device may comprise a flexible tongue.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

A furniture product provided with a mechanical locking device is knownin the art, as evidenced by WO2015/038059. The furniture productcomprises a first panel connected perpendicular to a second panel by amechanical locking device comprising a flexible tongue in an insertiongroove.

The above description of various known aspects is the applicant'scharacterization of such, and is not an admission that any of the abovedescription is considered as prior art

Embodiments of the present invention address a need to provide panelsthat can be produced in a more cost efficient way and with higher/largertolerances without affecting the assembly.

SUMMARY

It is an object of certain aspects of the present invention to providean improvement over the above described techniques and known art;particularly, achieve a set that could be produced with larger/highertolerances without affecting the tolerances and functionality of themechanical locking device.

It is an object of at least certain embodiments and aspects of thepresent invention to provide an improvement over the above describedtechniques and known art.

A further object of at least certain aspects of the present invention isto facilitate assembling of panels configured to be assembled withoutthe need of using any tools.

A further object of at least certain aspects of the present invention isto facilitate production of panels with larger tolerances.

At least some of these and other objects and advantages that will beapparent from the description have been achieved by a set comprising afirst panel, a second panel and a mechanical locking device for lockingthe first panel to the second panel, wherein the first panel comprises afirst edge surface and a first panel surface, the second panel comprisesa second panel surface and a second edge surface, the first edge surfaceis facing the second panel surface in a locked position of the first andthe second panel, the mechanical locking device comprises a panel grooveat a surface of the second panel, a flexible tongue positioned in thepanel groove, a rod-shaped element at the first edge surface and aninsertion groove at the second panel surface extending from the secondpanel surface to the panel groove, the rod-shaped element having alongitudinal shape with a length direction which is parallel to thefirst panel surface and comprises a first part at a first end, a secondpart at a second end and a recess in the second part, wherein the firstpart of the rod-shaped element is configured to be inserted into anattachment groove in the first edge surface and the second part of therod-shaped element is configured to be inserted into the insertiongroove, the flexible tongue is configured to cooperate with the recessfor a locking of the first panel to the second panel in a firstdirection which is perpendicular to the second panel surface, and therod shaped element further comprise a third part located between thefirst and second part, having an extension perpendicular to the lengthdirection that is larger than the extension of the attachment groove inthe first edge surface in the corresponding direction, such that thethird part is configured to limit the depth that the first part could beinserted into the attachment groove. This opens up for that that a setcould be produced with lower demands on the tolerances when positioningthe rod-shaped element at the first edge surface and at the same timeachieve a set with high tolerances. This will also lower the productioncosts for the set.

According to an aspect the third part is integrated in the second partand the extension perpendicular to the length direction of the thirdpart is equal to the extension of the second part in the correspondingdirection.

According to an aspect the extension perpendicular to the lengthdirection of the third part is larger than the extension of theinsertion groove in the corresponding direction, such that the thirdpart is configured to restrict/define/limit the depth that the secondpart could be inserted into the insertion groove.

According to an aspect the third part comprise a flange extendingperpendicular to the length direction.

According to an aspect the flange is a circumferential flange.

According to an aspect the flange has a circular shape.

According to an aspect the first edge surface comprise a counterborecorresponding to a shape of the third part.

According to an aspect the second panel surface comprise a counterborecorresponding to a shape of the third part.

According to an aspect a depth of the counterbore of the first edgesurface and/or the second panel surface is equal to a thickness of thethird part in the length direction.

According to an aspect the first, second and third part of therod-shaped element in made in one piece.

According to an aspect the insertion groove is a bottom-ended groove,such as a bottom ended drill hole, comprising a bottom surface which ispositioned at a distance from the second panel surface that is largerthan a length of the second part in the length direction.

According to an aspect the bottom surface of the insertion groove ispositioned at a distance from the panel groove.

According to an aspect the attachment groove is a bottom-ended groove,such as a bottom ended drill hole, comprising a bottom surface which ispositioned at a distance from the first edge surface that is larger thana length of the first part in the length direction.

According to an aspect the first part of the rod-shaped element isconfigured to be attached to the attachment groove by friction.

According to an aspect the rod-shaped element is made from one or moreof a wood based material, a polymer material, preferably with areinforcement material, such as glass fibre or a metal.

According to an aspect the first edge surface comprises two or more ofsaid rod-shaped element and the second panel surface comprises two ormore of said insertion groove, preferably arranged linearly, whereineach of the rod-shaped elements is configured to be inserted into one ofthe insertion grooves.

According to an aspect, in the locked position, the panel groove isconfigured to receive a dismantling-rod.

According to an aspect, when the dismantling rod is received in thepanel groove, the rod-shaped element is configured to cooperate with thedismantling-rod for flexing the flexible tongue inwards in the panelgroove.

According to an aspect, when the flexible tongue is flexed inwards inthe panel groove, the rod-shaped element and the dismantling-rod isconfigured to be moveable upwards in the insertion groove and out of theinsertion groove to dismantle the first panel from the second panel.

According to an aspect the mechanical locking device is configured toautomatically lock the first panel to the second panel when therod-shaped element is inserted into the insertion groove and the firstedge surface is arranged against second panel surface.

According to an aspect the flexible tongue is arranged between therecess and the bottom surface of the panel groove in the lockedposition.

According to an aspect one or more of the first, second and third partof the rod-shaped element has a substantial circular shape.

According to an aspect the flexible tongue is according to the flexibletongue described and shown in FIGS. 2A-2F in WO2015/105449. FIGS. 2A-2Fand the related disclosure from page 6, line 15 to page 7, line 2, inWO2015/105449 are hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein.

According to an aspect the core of the first panel and/or of the secondpanel may be a wood-based core, preferably made of MDF, HDF, OSB, WPC,plywood or particleboard. The core may also be a plastic core comprisingthermosetting plastic or thermoplastic, e.g., vinyl, PVC, PU or PET. Theplastic core may comprise fillers.

The first panel and/or the second panel may also be of solid wood.

The first panel and/or the second panel may be provided with adecorative layer, such as a foil or a veneer, on one or more surfaces.

At least some of the above identified and other objects and advantagesthat may be apparent from the description have been achieved by alocking device for a furniture product in accordance with the above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects, features and advantages of which embodiments ofthe invention are capable of, will be apparent and elucidated from thefollowing description of embodiments and aspects of the presentinvention, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which

FIG. 1a shows a 3D view from above of a set in an unassembled/dismantledstate of an aspect of the invention.

FIG. 1b shows a side view of a set in an unassembled/dismantled state ofan aspect of the invention.

FIG. 1c shows a 3D view from below of a set in an unassembled/dismantledstate of an aspect of the invention.

FIG. 2a shows a 3D view from above of a set in an assembled state of anaspect of the invention.

FIG. 2b shows a side view of a set in an assembled state of an aspect ofthe invention.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a flexible tongue according to an aspectof the invention.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of an enlargement of a part of the first panel.

FIGS. 5a-5b shows a 3D view from above of a set and a dismantling-rodaccording to an aspect of the invention during dismantling of the set.

FIGS. 6a-6e show an enlargement of a part of the set and thedismantling-rod during dismantling of the set from an assembled state toa dismantled state.

FIGS. 7a-7b show view from above and a side view of an embodiment of thesecond panel according to an aspect of the invention.

FIGS. 8a-8b show view from above and a side view of an embodiment of thefirst panel according to an aspect of the invention.

FIG. 9 shows a cross sectional view of a part of the second panel inFIG. 7 a, 7 b according to an aspect of the invention.

FIG. 10 shows a side view of a part of the first panel in FIG. 8 a, 8 band a rod-shaped element according to an aspect of the invention.

FIG. 11 shows a 3D view from above of a part of the first panel in FIG.7 a, 7 b according to an aspect of the invention.

FIGS. 12a-12b show a side view and a 3D view from above of a rod-shapedelement according to an aspect of the invention.

FIGS. 13a-13b show a side view and a 3D view from above of a rod-shapedelement according to an aspect of the invention.

FIGS. 14a-14b show a side view and a 3D view from above of a rod-shapedelement according to an aspect of the invention.

FIG. 15 shows a side view of a set in an assembled state and in anunassembled stat of an aspect of the invention.

FIG. 16 shows a side view of an enlargement of a part of the set in FIG.15.

FIG. 17 shows a view from above of 2 of the second panels in FIG. 15.

FIGS. 18a-18b show a side view and a top view of an embodiment of theattachment groove.

FIG. 18c shows a side view of a part of an embodiment of the secondpanel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the present disclosure will be described more fullyhereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. Like numbers inthe drawings refer to like elements throughout.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularaspects of the disclosure only, and is not intended to limit thedisclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” areintended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise.

In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed exemplaryaspects of the disclosure. However, many variations and modificationscan be made to these aspects without substantially departing from theprinciples of the present disclosure. Thus, the disclosure should beregarded as illustrative rather than restrictive, and not as beinglimited to the particular aspects discussed above. Accordingly, althoughspecific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptivesense only and not for purposes of limitation, for example, definitionof dimensions such as width or breadth or height or length or diameterdepends on how exemplary aspects are depicted, hence, if depicteddifferently, a shown width or diameter in one depiction is a length orthickness in another depiction.

It should be noted that the word “comprising” does not necessarilyexclude the presence of other elements or steps than those listed andthe words “a” or “an” preceding an element do not exclude the presenceof a plurality of such elements. It should further be noted that anyreference signs do not limit the scope of the claims, that the exampleaspects may be implemented at least in part by means of both hardwareand software, and that several “means”, “units” or “devices” may berepresented by the same item of hardware.

The different aspects, alternatives and embodiments of the inventiondisclosed herein can be combined with one or more of the other aspects,alternatives and embodiments described herein. Two or more aspects canbe combined.

A first embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 1a -4 including aset 1 comprising a first panel 10, a second panel 20 and a mechanicallocking device 30 for locking the first panel 10 to the second panel 20.The first panel 10 comprises a first edge surface 11 and a first panelsurface 12. The second panel 20 comprises a second edge surface 21 and asecond panel surface 22. The first edge surface 11 is facing the secondpanel surface 22 in a locked position of the first and the second panel10, 20. The mechanical locking device 30 comprises a rod-shaped element31 at the first edge surface 11 and an insertion groove 32 at the secondpanel surface 22. The mechanical locking device 30 further comprises anedge groove 33 at the second edge surface 21 and a flexible tongue 6positioned in the edge groove 33. The rod-shaped element 31 comprises arecess 34. The rod-shaped element 31 is configured to be inserted intothe insertion groove 32. The flexible tongue 6 is configured tocooperate with the recess 34 for a locking of the first panel 10 to thesecond panel 20 in a first direction which is perpendicular to thesecond panel surface 22.

The first panel 10 and the second panel 20 are preferably panels for afurniture product and may be a part of a frame of a furniture product.

The set 1 is preferably configured for locking the first panel 10 to thesecond panel 20 with the first panel surface 12 perpendicular oressentially perpendicular to the second panel surface 22.

FIGS. 1a-c disclose the set according to an aspect in an unassembled ordismantled state. FIGS. 2a-b disclose the set according to an aspect inan assembled state. The set 1 may be assembled by displacing the firstpanel 10 relative the second panel 20 in a direction which isperpendicular to the second panel surface 22. The mechanical lockingdevice 20 may be configured to automatically lock the first panel 10 tothe second panel 20 when the rod-shaped element 31 is inserted into theinsertion groove 32 and the first edge surface 11 is arranged againstthe second panel surface 22.

The insertion groove 32 may be formed in the second panel surface 22 andin a core of the second panel 20.

The second panel surface 22 may comprise a decorative layer and theinsertion groove may extend though the decorative layer.

The insertion groove may be formed by mechanical cutting, such asdrilling.

An aspect of the flexible tongue 6 is shown in FIG. 3. A first part ofthe flexible tongue 6 is configured to cooperate with the edge groove 33and a second part is configured to cooperate with the recess 34 of therod-shaped element 31.

The second part may comprise a first bevel 65, which is configured tocooperate with the rod-shaped element 31 during assembling, and a secondbevel 64, which is configured to cooperate with the recess 34 for thelocking.

The flexible tongue 6 may comprise a flexible material to enablecompression and a displacement of the flexible tongue 6 in the edgegroove 33 during assembling and dismantling.

The flexible tongue 6 may comprise an element which is flexible toenable compression and a displacement of the flexible tongue 6 in theedge groove 33 during assembling and dismantling and another elementwhich is less flexible in order to improve the locking strength.

A part of a curved surface of an embodiment of the flexible tongue 6 maybe configured to be displaced against a surface, such as a cylindricalsurface, of the edge groove 33. An embodiment is shown in WO2018/080387.The entire contents of WO2018/080387 are hereby expressly incorporatedby reference.

The flexible tongue 6 may comprise a first essentially straight edge anda second edge which comprises a bendable part 61, preferably a firstbendable part and a second bendable part. The first edge is preferablyconfigured to cooperate with the recess 34 of the rod-shaped element 31.The flexible tongue preferably comprises a recess 63 at each of saidbendable parts. An advantage with this embodiment of the flexible tongueis that a stronger spring force may be obtained which may provide astronger locking.

A locking surface of the flexible tongue 6 may cooperate with a lockingsurface 62 of the recess 34 for the locking of the first panel 10 to thesecond panel 20.

The first edge surface 11 may comprise two or more of said rod shapedelement 31 and the second panel surface 22 may comprise two or more ofsaid insertion groove 32, preferably arranged linearly, wherein each ofthe rod-shaped elements 31 is configured to be inserted into one of theinsertion grooves 31.

An aspect of the rod-shaped element 31 is shown in FIGS. 6a-e whichcomprises an embodiment of the recess 34. The rod-shaped element 31 hasa longitudinal shape with a length direction L, which is parallel to thefirst panel surface. A first crosscut of the rod-shaped element 31, in aplane parallel to the second panel surface 22 may have a circular shape,a rectangular shape, a star shape, an oval shape or a hexagon shape. Thecrosscut may be between the recess 34 and the edge 11.

A locking of the first panel 10 to the second panel 20 in a seconddirection which is perpendicular to the first panel surface 12 may beobtained by cooperating locking surfaces between the insertion groove 32and the rod-shaped element 31.

A locking of the first panel to the second panel in a third directionwhich is perpendicular to the first direction and the second directionsurface may be obtained by cooperating locking surfaces between theinsertion groove 32 and the rod-shaped element 31.

A second cross cut of the insertion groove 32, in a plane parallel tothe second panel surface, preferably has a shape that matches a firstcross cut of the rod-shaped element 31, in a plane parallel to thesecond panel surface. An advantage of this may be that an improvedlocking of the first panel 10 to the second panel 20 in a seconddirection is obtained and/or an improved locking of the first panel 10to the second panel 20 in a third direction is obtained.

The edge groove 33 and the insertion groove 32 are disclosed in moredetail in FIG. 4, which is a cross cut along the insertion groove 32.

The edge groove 33 extends from the second edge surface 21 of the secondpanel 20 inwards in the second panel 20. The edge groove 33 comprises aninner part 36 and an outer part 37. The inner part 36 of the edge groovehas a first height H1. The outer part 37 of the edge groove has a secondheight H2. The height of the inner and outer part is seen in a directionthat is parallel with the second end surface 21. Put in another way theheight of the inner and outer part H1, H2 extend in the thickness of thesecond panel. The second height H2 of the outer part 37 is larger thanthe first height H1 of the inner part 36. The outer part 37 is locatedcloser to the second edge surface than the inner part.

The inner part 36 of the edge groove 33 may comprise a first surface, anopposite second surface and a bottom surface 35 extending between thefirst surface and the opposite second surface. According to an aspectthe edge groove 33 is a bottom-ended groove comprising the bottomsurface 35.

The bottom surface 35 may be positioned at a distance from the insertiongroove 32.

The outer part 37 of the edge groove 33 may comprise a first surface, anopposite second surface and a bottom surface 38 extending between thefirst surface and the opposite second surface. The bottom surface 38 ofthe second part 37 comprises an opening 39 of the first part 36.

According to an aspect the height H1 of the inner part 36 of the edgegroove 33 is equal to or larger than a thickness of the flexible tongue6.

According to an aspect the rod shaped element 31 is connected to thefirst edge surface 11 at a first end 41 and comprise a rod surface 42positioned between the recess 34 and a second end 43 of the rod-shapedelement 31.

According to an aspect the difference between the second height H2 ofthe outer part 37 of the edge groove 33 and the first height H1 of theinner part 36 of the edge groove 33 is equal to or larger than a lengthof the rod surface 41 between the recess 34 and the second end 43 of therod-shaped element 31.

According to an aspect the difference between the second height H2 ofthe outer part 37 of the edge groove 33 and the first height H1 of theinner part 36 of the edge groove 33 is or equal to or larger than adistance from an outer tip 66 of the flexible tongue 6 and a surface 67of the flexible tongue 6 which cooperate with a surface of the innerpart 36 of the edge groove 33. According to an aspect the differencebetween the second height H2 of the outer part 37 of the edge groove 33and the first height H1 of the inner part 36 of the edge groove 33 is orequal to or larger than a distance from an outer tip of the flexibletongue and the locking surface 62 of the flexible tongue 6.

According to an aspect the second height H2 of the outer part 37 of theedge groove 33 is 1.1-2.5 times larger than the first height H1 of theinner part 36. According to an aspect the second height H2 of the outerpart 37 of the edge groove 33 is 1.1-1.5 times larger than the firstheight of the inner part.

According to an aspect the flexible tongue 6 is arranged at the bottomsurface 35 of the edge groove 33.

According to an aspect the flexible tongue 6 is configured to be flexedinwards towards the bottom surface 35 to be completely positioned in theinner part 36 of the edge groove 33, as disclosed in FIGS. 6 b, c, d.

According to an aspect the flexible tongue 6, in an unflexed state, isconfigured to be position partly in the outer part 37 and partly in theinner part 37 of the edge groove, as disclosed in FIGS. 6a and e.

According to an aspect the edge groove 33 is a longitudinal groove 33that extends in a longitudinal direction of the second edge surface 22,as disclosed in FIGS. 2, 1 a, c and 2 a.

According to an aspect second panel 20 comprise a third edge surface 23.According to an aspect the edge groove 33 of the mechanical lockingdevice 30 further is positioned at the third edge surface 23 asdisclosed in FIG. 2 a.

According to an aspect the second panel 20 comprises a fourth edgesurface 24. According to an aspect the edge groove 33 of the mechanicallocking device 30 further is positioned at the fourth edge surface 24,as disclosed in FIG. 2 a. According to an aspect the edge groove 33extends from the third edge surface 23 to the fourth edge surface 24.

The bendable part 61 of the flexible tongue 6 may be arranged at thebottom surface 35 of the edge groove 33.

The flexible tongue 6 may be arranged at the bottom surface 35 of theedge groove 33.

The flexible tongue may be arranged between the recess 34 and the bottomsurface 35 of the edge groove in the locked position.

A part of the flexible tongue 6 may be configured to be displacedagainst a surface of the edge groove 35, such as the first surfaceand/or the second surface.

According to an aspect and as disclosed in FIG. 12 a, b; 13 a, b; 14 a,b, the rod-shaped element 31 have a longitudinal shape with the lengthdirection L which is parallel to the first panel surface 12. Therod-shaped element 31 comprises a first part 51 at the first end 41. anda second part 52 at the second end 43. The recess 34 is according to anaspect comprised in the second part 52.

The first part 51 of the rod-shaped element 31 is configured to beinserted into an attachment groove 101 in the first edge surface 11, asdisclosed in FIGS. 1 a, 6 e, 8 a, b, 10, 18 a and 18 b. FIG. 18a shows aside view and FIG. 18b shows a top view of a part of an embodiment ofthe first panel 10. The second part 52 of the rod-shaped element 31 isaccording to an aspect configured to be inserted into the insertiongroove 32. According to an aspect the rod shaped element 31 comprises athird part 53. The third part is located between the first and secondpart 51, 52. The third part 53 has according to an aspect an extensionperpendicular to the length direction L that is larger than theextension of the attachment groove 101 in the first edge surface 11 inthe corresponding direction. By having a larger extension the third partis configured to restrict/define/limit the depth that the first part 51could be inserted into the attachment groove. By limiting the length therod-shaped element 31 could be inserted into the attachment groove inthe first panel 10, the depth of the attachment groove 101 does notdefine the position of the rod-shaped element 31 as long as the depth islarger than the first part 51. This opens up for that the attachmentgroove could be manufactured with large tolerances without affecting theposition of the rod-shaped element in the insertion groove 32. This maylower the production costs of the set.

According to an aspect, as disclosed in FIG. 13 a, b; 14 a, b, the thirdpart 53 is integrated in the second part 52. According to an aspect theextension perpendicular to the length direction L of the third part 53is equal to the extension of the second part 52 in the correspondingdirection.

According to an aspect, as disclosed in FIG. 12 a, b, the extensionperpendicular to the length direction L of the third part 53 is largerthan the extension D1 of the insertion groove 32 in the correspondingdirection, such that the third part 53 is configured torestrict/define/limit the depth that the second part 52 could beinserted into the insertion groove 32. By this the length of therod-shaped element 31 that could be inserted into the insertion groove32 is limited and defined and lower the tolerances on the set 1 forpositioning the rod-shaped element 31 in an intended locking position inview of the flexible tongue 6.

According to an aspect the third part 53 comprise a flange 54 extendingperpendicular to the length direction L.

According to an aspect the flange 54 is a circumferential flange 54.According to an aspect the flange 54 is rectangular, square, triangular,or star shaped.

According to an aspect the first edge surface 11 comprise a counterbore102 corresponding to a shape of the third part 53.

According to an aspect the second panel surface 22 of the second panel20 may comprise a counterbore 102 corresponding to a shape of the thirdpart 53. FIG. 18 c. shows a sideview of a part of the second panel 20.

According to an aspect a depth of the counterbore 102 of the first edgesurface 11 and/or the second panel surface 22 is equal to a thickness ofthe third part 53 in the length direction L.

According to an aspect the first, second and third part 51, 52, 53 ofthe rod-shaped element 31 is made in one piece.

According to an aspect the attachment groove 101 is a bottom-endedgroove, such as a bottom ended drill hole, comprising a bottom surfacewhich is positioned at a distance from the first edge surface 11 that islarger than a length of the first part 51 in the length direction L.

According to an aspect the first part 51 of the rod-shaped element 31 isconfigured to be attached to the attachment groove 101 by friction.

According to an aspect the rod-shaped element 31 is made from one ormore of a wood based material, a polymer material, preferably with areinforcement material, such as glass fibre or a metal.

According to an aspect one or more of the first, second and third part51, 52, 53 of the rod-shaped element 31 has a substantial circularshape.

According to an aspect the rod-shaped element 31 may be configured to beglued in the attachment groove 101 in the first edge surface 11.

According to an aspect the first part 51 of the rod-shaped element 31comprises threads. According to an aspect the first part 51 of therod-shaped element 31 comprise barbs 55, as disclosed in FIG. 14 a, b.According to an aspect the rod-shaped element 31 is configured to belocked in the attachment groove 101 by a friction connection or by amechanically connection, such as the threads or by a locking element,such as the barbs 55.

The insertion groove 32 is according to an aspect a bottom-ended groove,such as a bottom ended drill hole, comprising a bottom surface 46, whichis positioned at a distance from the edge groove 33.

The insertion groove 32 may have a first part 43 on a first side of theedge groove 33 and a second part 44 on a second side of the edge groove33, wherein the second part comprises the bottom surface 46 and sidewalls, wherein, in a locked position, the rod-shaped element 31 passesthrough the first part 43 of the insertion groove 32, through the edgegroove 33 and into the second part 44 of the insertion groove 32.

FIG. 6a shows a cross cut of the first panel 10 and the second panel 20in a locked position, i.e. in an assembled position. The insertiongroove according to an aspect extends from the second panel surface 22to the edge groove 33.

The rod-shaped element 31 may be configured to cooperate, for thelocking in the second direction, with the side walls the second part 44of the insertion groove 32.

The rod-shaped element 31 may be configured to cooperate, in a lockedposition, with the bottom surface 46.

The first part 43 of the insertion groove 32 may comprise side walls,wherein the rod-shaped element 31 may be configured to cooperate, forthe locking in the second direction, with side walls of the first part43.

The sidewalls may comprise material of the core of the second panel 20.

The second edge surface 21 may be essentially perpendicular to thesecond panel surface 22.

According to an aspect the first panel 10 may be assembled by displacingthe first panel 1 relative the second panel 20 in a direction which isperpendicular to the second panel surface 22. The mechanical lockingdevice 30 is according to an aspect configured to automatically lock thefirst panel 10 to the second panel 20 when the rod-shaped element 31 isinserted into the insertion groove 32 and the first edge surface 11 isarranged against the second panel surface 22.

According to an aspect the assembled first and second panel 10, 20 maybe dismantled from each other. Put in another way, after the first andsecond panel 10, 20 has been assembled, they could be disassembled andseparated. After they have been dismantled, they could be assembledtogether once again or assembled with another panel.

Hereafter the method of dismantling the first panel 10 from the secondpanel 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5a, b and 6a -e.

In the assembled position the outer part 37 of the edge groove 33 isconfigured to receive a dismantling-rod 40. The dismantling-rod 40 is arod shaped element that is insertable in the outer part 37 of the outergroove 33. The dismantling-rod has a longitudinal shape with a first endand a second end. The second end of the dismantling-rod 40 is adapted tobe gripped by a user and the first end is adapted to be inserted intothe edge groove 33. The cross sectional shape of the dismantling-rod 40in a direction perpendicular to its longitudinal length is according toan aspect a polygon, for instance a trapezoid as disclosed in FIGS. 6band 6 c. According to an aspect the cross sectional shape of thedismantling-rod 40 in a direction perpendicular to its longitudinallength is round, square, rectangular or triangular.

According to an aspect the dismantling-rod 40 is flexible such that itis insertable into the edge groove 33 from the second edge surface 21.As the dismantling rod 40 is inserted from the second edge surface itflexes and bends such that it is positioned at the flexible tongue 6 andthe recess 34. According to an aspect the dismantling-rod 40 isinsertable into the edge groove 33 from the third edge surface 23.According to an aspect the dismantling-rod 40 is insertable into theedge groove 33 from the fourth edge surface 24.

When a user should dismantle the first panel 10 from the second panel 20and thus unlock the mechanical locking device 30, the user inserts thefirst end of the dismantling-rod 40 into the outer part 37 of the edgegroove 33. When the dismantling rod 40 is inserted and received in theedge groove 33, the rod-shaped element 31 is configured to cooperatewith the dismantling-rod 40 for flexing the flexible tongue 6 inwards inthe edge groove 33. When the dismantling-rod 40 is inserted into theouter part 37, it makes contact with the recess 34 of the rod-shapedelement 31 and the flexible tongue 6. The shape of the dismantling-rod40 corresponds to the shape of the recess 34 and when thedismantling-rod 40 is inserted further into the outer part 37 it will bepositioned in the recess 34 and flex the flexible tongue 6 out of therecess 34 towards the inner part 36 of the edge groove 33, as disclosedin FIG. 6 b.

When the flexible tongue 6 is flexed inwards in the edge groove 33, therod-shaped element 31 is configured to be moveable in the insertiongroove 32, as disclosed in FIG. 6 b. According to an aspect and theorientation of the set, the rod-shaped element is moveable upwards ordownwards, i.e. it is moveable outwards in the direction of the firstedge surface 11. As the rod-shaped element 31 is moved thedismantling-rod 40 will after being moved a distance make contact withthe inner wall of the outer part 37 of the edge groove 33, as disclosedin FIG. 6 c. According to an aspect the distance that the rod-shapedelement could be moved is the difference between the first height H1 ofthe inner part 36 and the second height H2 of the outer part 37. In thisposition the flexible tongue 6 is positioned at the rod surface 42 ofthe rod-shaped element 31. The rod surface 42 restricts that theflexible tongue 6 is flexed outwards. According to an aspect theflexible tongue 6 flexes outward until it makes contact with the rodsurface 42 of the rod-shaped element 31.

When the rod-shaped element 31 is moved upwards in the insertion groove32 by the user and the flexible tongue 6 is not positioned in the recess34, the dismantling-rod 40 is configured to be moved out of the edgegroove 33. As the flexible tongue 6 is restricted from being flexed backinto the recess 34 by the rod surface 42 in this position, thedismantling-rod 40 could be extracted from the outer part 37 without themechanical locking device 30 returning to its locked position.

After the dismantling-rod 40 has been moved out of the edge groove 33the rod-shaped element 31 is configured to be moved further outwards andout of the insertion groove 32 to dismantle the first panel 10 from thesecond panel 20. The first panel 10 is now dismantled from the secondpanel 20.

According to an aspect when the rod-shaped element 31 is moved outwardsin the insertion groove 32, the flexible tongue 6 is flexed outwardstowards the rod surface 42 of the rod-shaped element 31.

According to an aspect a method for dismantling the set 1 from a lockedposition to a dismantled position by inserting the dismantling-rod 40into the outer part 37 of the edge groove 33 and move the flexibletongue 6 out of the recess 34 of the rod-shaped element 31 by flexingthe flexible tongue 6 inwards in the edge groove 33, move the rod-shapedelement 31 and the dismantling-rod 40 outwards in the insertion groove32, retract the dismantling-rod 40 out of the edge groove 33, andretract the rod-shaped element 31 further outwards and out of theinsertion groove 32 to dismantle the first panel 10 from the secondpanel 20.

According to an aspect the step of moving comprise moving the rod-shapedelement 31 such a distance outwards that the flexible tongue 6 is unableto flex back into the recess 34.

After the first panel 10 has been dismantled from the second panel 20the first panel 10 can be assembled once again to the second panel 20 orto another panel comprising corresponding features. After the firstpanel 10 has been dismantled from the second panel 20 the second panel20 can be assembled once again to the second panel 10 or to anotherpanel comprising corresponding features.

According to an aspect, as disclosed in FIG. 9, 10, 11 the set 1comprise a second panel 20 a and the mechanical locking device 30comprises a panel groove 133 at a second panel surface 22 of the secondpanel 20 a. The panel groove 133 has the same function as the edgegroove 33 disclosed above, however, according to this aspect the grooveis positioned at the second panel surface 22 instead of at the secondedge surface 21. The panel groove 133 extends at an angle α in thesecond panel 20 a in view of the second panel surface 22. Put in anotherway, the panel groove 133 is made in the second panel 20 a and is angledwith an angle α in view of the second panel surface, as is disclosed inFIG. 9.

The flexible tongue 6, not disclosed in FIG. 9, is according to anaspect positioned in the panel groove 133. The rod-shaped element 31 ispositioned at the first edge surface 11 as disclosed above. Theinsertion groove 32 is, according to this aspect, positioned at thesecond panel surface 22 and extends from the second panel surface 22 tothe panel groove 133.

According to an aspect the rod-shaped element 31 is configured to beinserted into the insertion groove 32 and the rod-shaped element 31comprises a recess 34.

According to an aspect the flexible tongue 6 is configured to cooperatewith the recess 34 for a locking of the first panel 10 to the secondpanel 20 a in a first direction which is perpendicular to the secondpanel surface 22.

According to an aspect the angle α is between 10°-80° degrees. Accordingto an aspect the angle α is between 10°-70° degrees. According to anaspect the angle is between 20-70 degrees. According to an aspect theangle α is between 15°-50° degrees. According to an aspect the angle αis between 25°-35° degrees.

According to an aspect the second edge surface 21 of the second panel 20a is positioned at a distance from the panel groove 133.

According to an aspect a width W1 of the panel groove 133 in the secondpanel surface 22 is smaller than a width W2 of the first edge surface11. Put in another way the first edge surface 11 of the first panel 10covers the panel groove 133 when the first panel 10 is locked towardsthe second panel 20 a.

According to an aspect the width W1 of the panel groove 133 in thesecond panel surface 22 is larger than a diameter D2, disclosed in FIG.10, of the rod-shaped element 133.

According to an aspect the panel groove 133 is a bottom-ended groove,comprising a bottom surface 135 which is positioned at a distance fromthe insertion groove 32.

According to an aspect the flexible tongue 6 is arranged at the bottomsurface 135 of the panel groove 133.

According to an aspect the flexible tongue 6 is configured to be flexedinwards towards the bottom surface 135 to be completely positioned inthe panel groove 133.

According to an aspect the flexible tongue 6, in an unflexed state, isconfigured to be position partly in the panel groove 133 and partly inthe insertion groove 32.

According to an aspect the panel groove 133 is a longitudinal groove 133that extends in a longitudinal direction of the second planar surface22.

According to an aspect the longitudinal direction of the longitudinalgroove 133 is substantially parallel to the second edge surface 21.

According to an aspect the second panel 20 a comprise a third edgesurface 23 and that the panel groove 133 of the mechanical lockingdevice 30 further is positioned at the third edge surface 23.

According to an aspect the second panel 20 a comprise a fourth edgesurface 24 and that the panel groove 133 of the mechanical lockingdevice 30 further is positioned at the fourth edge surface 24.

According to an aspect the panel groove 133 extend from the third edgesurface 23 to the fourth edge surface 24.

According to an aspect the insertion groove 32 is a bottom-ended groove,such as a bottom ended drill hole, comprising a bottom surface 46 whichis positioned at a distance from the panel groove 133.

According to an aspect the first edge surface 11 comprises two or moreof said rod-shaped element 31 and the second panel surface 22 comprisestwo or more of said insertion groove 32 and one or more panel groove133, preferably arranged linearly, wherein each of the rod-shapedelements 31 is configured to be inserted into one of the insertiongrooves 32.

According to an aspect, in the locked position between the first panel10 and the second panel 20 a, the panel groove 133 is configured toreceive the dismantling-rod 40.

When the dismantling rod 40 is received in the panel groove 133, therod-shaped element 31 is configured to cooperate with thedismantling-rod 40 for flexing the flexible tongue 6 inwards in thepanel groove 133. Thereafter, when the flexible tongue 6 is flexedinwards in the panel groove 133, the rod-shaped element 31 and thedismantling-rod 40 is configured to be moveable outwards in theinsertion groove 32 and out of the insertion groove 32 to dismantle thefirst panel 10 from the second panel 20 a. As the panel groove 133extend from the second panel surface 22 the dismantling could be made inless steps than the dismantling method described above. This is due tothat the insertion groove 32 and the panel groove 133 is positioned atone and the same surface, the second panel surface 22.

According to an aspect the mechanical locking device 30 is configured toautomatically lock the first panel 10 to the second panel 20 a when therod-shaped element 31 is inserted into the insertion groove 32 and thefirst edge surface 11 is arranged against the second panel surface 22.

According to an aspect the flexible tongue 6 is arranged between therecess 34 of the rod-shaped element 31 and the bottom surface 135 of thepanel groove 133 in the locked position. According to an aspect thesecond edge surface 21 is essentially perpendicular to the second panelsurface 22.

According to an aspect the rod-shaped element 31 according to the abovecould be connected to a second panel 20 comprising an edge groove 33according to the above or to a panel groove 133 according to the above.

According to an aspect the second panel 20, 20 a comprise one or moreedge grooves 33 and one or more panel grooves 133. According to anaspect the second panel 20, 20 a is connected and locked to two or morefirst panels 10.

The insertion groove 32 may be formed in the second panel surface 22 andin a core of the second panel 20.

The second panel surface 22 may comprise a decorative layer and theinsertion groove may extend though the decorative layer.

The insertion groove may be formed by mechanical cutting, such asmilling or sawing.

An edge element, such as an edge band, is according to an aspectattached to the second edge for covering the edge groove and forenforcing the second edge 4. Embodiments of edge bands are shown in WO2018/080387 which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference. Theedge element may be glued to the second edge or attached by a mechanicallocking device, which may comprise a part that protrudes from the edgeelement and is configured to be inserted into the edge groove 33. Thepart may be attached to the edge groove by friction. The edge element isaccording to an aspect not covering the third and/or the fourth edgesurface 23, 24 such that the dismantling-rod 40 could be inserted intothe edge groove 33. The edge element is according to an aspect removablesuch that the dismantling-rod 40 could be inserted into the edge groove33.

According to an aspect the second panel may comprise two or more of saidedge groove 33.

According to an aspect the first panel 10 comprises two or more firstedge surfaces 11 according to the above. Put in another way, one or morerod-shaped elements 31 can be positioned at two or more of the edges ofthe first panel 10, as disclosed in FIGS. 15 and 17.

According to an aspect one or more rod-shaped elements 31 at one firstedge surface 11 of one first panel 10 is positioned off-set in view ofone or more rod-shaped elements at another first edge surface 11 of thefirst panel 10. By positioning the rod-shaped elements 31 off-set atdifferent first edge surfaces 11 of the first panel 10, unintendedassembly of different first and second panels 10, 20, 20 a could beavoided if the position of the rod-shaped elements 31 at first edgesurface 11 only correspond to the position of the insertion grooves 32at the second panel surface 22 to which it intended to be connected.

According to an aspect one second panel could be connected to four firstpanels as disclosed in FIG. 15. According to an aspect the second panel20 comprises two second panel surface 22 and that one or more insertiongrooves 32 extend from one of the second panel surfaces 22 and one ormore insertion grooves 32 extend from the other second panel surface 22to a common edge groove 33, as disclosed in FIGS. 15 and 16.

According to an aspect a panel could be a combination of the first panel10 and the second panel 20, 20 a and comprise rod-shaped elements 31 atone edge and a panel groove 133 at a panel surface and/or an edge grooveat another edge surface, as disclosed in FIG. 17.

The flexible tongue 6 may be according to the flexible tongue describedand shown in FIGS. 2A-2F in WO2015/105449. FIGS. 2A-2F and the relateddisclosure from page 6, line 15 to page 7, line 2, in WO2015/105449 arehereby expressly incorporated by reference herein.

The core of the first panel 10 and/or of the second panel 20, 20 a maybe a wood-based core, preferably made of MDF, HDF, OSB, WPC, plywood orparticleboard. The core may also be a plastic core comprisingthermosetting plastic or thermoplastic e.g. vinyl, PVC, PU or PET. Theplastic core may comprise fillers.

The first panel 10 and/or the second panel 20, 20 a may also be of solidwood.

The first panel 10 and/or the second panel 20, 20 a may be provided witha decorative layer, such as a foil or a veneer, on one or more surfaces.

According to an aspect the set 1 are one of a bottom piece of a drawer,a frame and a back piece of a furniture product.

According to an aspect the set of panels are resilient panels. Theresilient panels may comprise a core comprising thermoplastic material.The thermoplastic material may be foamed.

The thermoplastic material may comprise polyvinyl chloride (PVC),polyester, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS),polyurethane (PU), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyacrylate,methacrylate, polycarbonate, polyvinyl butyral, polybutyleneterephthalate, or a combination thereof. The core may be formed ofseveral layers.

The aspects described above may comprise a decorative layer, such as adecorative foil comprising a thermoplastic material. The thermoplasticmaterial of the decorative layer may be or comprise polyvinyl chloride(PVC), polyester, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polystyrene(PS), polyurethane (PU), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyacrylate,methacrylate, polycarbonate, polyvinyl butyral, polybutyleneterephthalate, or a combination thereof. The decorative foil ispreferably printed, for example by direct printing, rotogravure, ordigital printing. According to an aspect the decorative layer comprisemelamine, a high pressure laminate (HPL) or a veneer.

The aspects described above may comprise a wear layer such as a film orfoil. The wear layer may comprise thermoplastic material. Thethermoplastic material may be polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyester,polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), polyurethane(PU), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyacrylate, methacrylate,polycarbonate, polyvinyl butyral, polybutylene terephthalate, or acombination thereof.

The aspects described above may comprise a wood base core, such as HDF,MDF, plywood, particleboard, OSB or Masonite.

The different aspects, embodiments and alternatives described abovecould be combined with one or more of the other described aspects,embodiments and alternatives.

1. A set comprising a first panel, a second panel and a mechanicallocking device for locking the first panel to the second panel, whereinthe first panel comprises a first edge surface and a first panelsurface, the second panel comprises a second panel surface and a secondedge surface, the first edge surface is facing the second panel surfacein a locked position of the first and the second panel, the mechanicallocking device comprises a panel groove at a surface of the secondpanel, a flexible tongue positioned in the panel groove, a rod-shapedelement at the first edge surface and an insertion groove at the secondpanel surface extending from the second panel surface to the panelgroove, the rod-shaped element having a longitudinal shape with a lengthdirection which is parallel to the first panel surface and comprises afirst part at a first end, a second part at a second end and a recess inthe second part, wherein the first part of the rod-shaped element isconfigured to be inserted into an attachment groove in the first edgesurface and the second part of the rod-shaped element is configured tobe inserted into the insertion groove, the flexible tongue is configuredto cooperate with the recess for a locking of the first panel to thesecond panel in a first direction which is perpendicular to the secondpanel surface, and the rod shaped element further comprise a third partlocated between the first and second part, having an extensionperpendicular to the length direction that is larger than the extensionof the attachment groove in the first edge surface in the correspondingdirection, such that the third part is configured to limit the depththat the first part could be inserted into the attachment groove.
 2. Theset as in claim 1, wherein the third part is integrated in the secondpart and the extension perpendicular to the length direction of thethird part is equal to the extension of the second part in thecorresponding direction.
 3. The set as in claim 1, wherein the extensionperpendicular to the length direction of the third part is larger thanthe extension of the insertion groove in the corresponding direction,such that the third part is configured to limit the depth that thesecond part could be inserted into the insertion groove.
 4. The set asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the third part comprise a flange extendingperpendicular to the length direction.
 5. The set as in claim 4, whereinthe flange is a circumferential flange.
 6. The set as in claim 4,wherein the flange has a circular shape.
 7. The set as claimed in claim1, wherein the first edge surface comprises a counterbore correspondingto a shape of the third part.
 8. The set as claimed in claim 1, whereinthe second panel surface comprise a counterbore corresponding to a shapeof the third part.
 9. The set as claimed in claim 8, wherein a depth ofthe counterbore of the first edge surface and/or the second panelsurface is equal to a thickness of the third part in the lengthdirection.
 10. The set as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first, secondand third part of the rod-shaped element in made in one piece.
 11. Theset as claimed in claim 1, wherein the insertion groove is abottom-ended groove, comprising a bottom surface which is positioned ata distance from the second panel surface that is larger than a length ofthe second part in the length direction.
 12. The set as in claim 11,wherein the bottom surface of the insertion groove is positioned at adistance from the panel groove.
 13. The set as claimed in claim 1,wherein the attachment groove is a bottom-ended groove, comprising abottom surface which is positioned at a distance from the first edgesurface that is larger than a length of the first part in the lengthdirection.
 14. The set as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first part ofthe rod-shaped element is configured to be attached to the attachmentgroove by friction.
 15. The set as claimed in claim 1, wherein therod-shaped element is made from one or more of a wood based material, apolymer material, preferably with a reinforcement material.
 16. The setas claimed in claim 1, wherein the first edge surface comprises two ormore of said rod-shaped element and the second panel surface comprisestwo or more of said insertion groove, preferably arranged linearly,wherein each of the rod-shaped elements is configured to be insertedinto one of the insertion grooves.
 17. The set as claimed in claim 1,wherein, in the locked position, the panel groove is configured toreceive a dismantling-rod, wherein, when the dismantling rod is receivedin the panel groove, the rod-shaped element is configured to cooperatewith the dismantling-rod for flexing the flexible tongue inwards in thepanel groove, wherein, when the flexible tongue is flexed inwards in thepanel groove, the rod-shaped element and the dismantling-rod isconfigured to be moveable outwards in the insertion groove and out ofthe insertion groove to dismantle the first panel from the second panel.18. The set as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mechanical locking deviceis configured to automatically lock the first panel to the second panelwhen the rod-shaped element is inserted into the insertion groove andthe first edge surface is arranged against second panel surface.
 19. Theset as claimed in claim 11, wherein the flexible tongue is arrangedbetween the recess and the bottom surface of the panel groove in thelocked position.
 20. The set as claimed in claim 1, wherein one or moreof the first, second and third part of the rod-shaped element has asubstantial circular shape.